Battlefields›Northern Raids During the Crisis of the Third Century 259-260 AD
Roman Period

Northern Raids During the Crisis of the Third Century 259-260 AD

259–260
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Raiding during Gallic Empire 259 AD · Wall raids 259 AD
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Roman frontier communities
Forces
c. 1,000-3,000 Roman frontier troops and local militia.
VS
Victor
Northern tribes
Forces
c. 500-1,000 Pictish/Caledonian raiders
Outcome
Period of intense raiding during political chaos of the Gallic Empire; several outpost forts north of the Wall abandoned
The Battle

History & Significance

The political fragmentation of Rome during 259-260 AD allowed increased Pictish and Caledonian raiding of Hadrian Wall, accelerating the abandonment of the northern outpost fort network.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Northern Raids During the Crisis of the Third Century 259-260 AD

Hadrian's Wall between the track to Cockmount Hill and Walltown Quarry East in wall miles 43, 44 and 45
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
The vallum between Cockmount Hill and Walltown Quarry West in wall miles 43, 44 and 45
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Hadrian's Wall between Walltown Quarry East and Walltown Quarry West in wall mile 45
Scheduled monument · ~0.8 miles
The section of Stanegate Roman road from Fell End Roman temporary camp to the track to Old Shield, and the Roman cemetery adjacent to Carvoran Roman fort
Scheduled monument · ~1.2 miles
Fell End Roman temporary camp and section of the Stanegate Roman road
Scheduled monument · ~1.2 miles
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